Rice millers get first export orders from China

Cambodia’s largest rice exporters say they have begun securing their first orders from Chinese buyers, with shipments slated for later this year.

Loran Import Export Company has secured contracts to export 240 tonnes of fragrant rice at US$890 in October, its President Lim Bun Heng said.

“Previously the company has never exported rice to China – only to European and African markets,” he said.

However, with its expanding population, he reckons China will become an important market for Cambodia’s rice exporters in the future.

“I think China will be a big market in the future, because this country has a large number of people, and increasing demand for rice,” he said.Golden Rice Company Chan Vuthy said his firm was scheduled to export between 100 and 200 tonnes of fragrant rice in September, though the orders were still to be confirmed.

“China’s market has lots of potential as an export destination, particularly as transportation costs are cheaper than sending to European and American markets,” he said.

However, he expressed concern that the order had not yet been confirmed, asking the relevant ministries work to sort out required regulations to allow Cambodian exports to proceed to China.